Berlinale’s Generation 14plus Awards Reach Out to Youth

Berlinale's Generation 14plus Awards Reach Out to Youth

A young jury of seven awarded an international roster of films Crystal Bears at the Generation 14plus awards ceremony on February 19, part of this year’s Berlinale.

The Crystal Bear for the Best Feature went to Germany’s “Neukolln Unlimited” from directors Agostino Imondi and Dietmar Ratsch. The documentary follows three Lebanese siblings and their daily lives in Berlin’s dangerous Neukolln district as they struggle to attain success as breakdancers and musicians. Problems arise however as the siblings and their family face deportation to Lebanon. Of the film the jurors said: “This movie is a sole, wonderful choreography that leaves us breathless but not silent. We thank the directors for this great masterpiece and for making an exhilarating movie about the simple life of an extraordinary family.”

Zhang Lu meanwhile received Special Mention for his South Korean film “Dooman River.” The film takes place near the river, which serves as the border between North Korea and China, and tells the story of two young boys, from opposing sides of the border who come together.

Best Short Film awarded to the Iranian film “Az Bad Beporsid” from director Batin Ghobadi, while the Danish short film “Onskeborn” from director Birgitte Staemose was given Special Mention in the short film category.